Ability to predict others' behaviour and understand people have their own way of perceiving the world
ASD individuals
Reduced/delayed ability to recognise and understand internal mental state of other people
Theory of mind emerges out of skills from early development
1. Following others' gaze
2. Engaging in pretend play
3. Imitating others' behaviour
Joint attention
Key skill for theory of mind development
Most children can develop theory of mind
Bruner - 14 months
Two foundations of theory of mind (Baron-Cohen)
Physical vs mental
Appearance and nature aren't the same
Physical vs mental
Thinking about holding or actually holding something
Appearance and nature aren't the same
Bath bomb that looks like cake
Golan test
Short spoken phrases to test recognition of emotional cues in vocal expression
Tests support validity of theory of mind deficits as a component of ASD
Theory of mind deficits are less accountable for non-social features (repetitive/obsessive behaviours) of ASD
Some adults with ASD pass Cohen/Golan test
'Social stories' interventions
Short stories that highlight social cues and perspectives in everyday situations to help kids with ASD understand unwritten rules and thought and feelings of others
Fletcher Watson test
Test on real-world application of theory of mind interventions
22 randomised control trials found theory of mind developed through intervention, but was short-lived and not generalisable to other situations
Studies weren't blinded, so effectiveness was evaluated when they knew who had the intervention
Need for research tests on theory of mind interventions that lack validity